News Release

Thursday, May 12, 2005

Denver Cop-Killer Dragnet Expands to Los Angeles Reward Offered

Los Angeles: The investigation into the ambush shooting of two Denver Police Department officers on May 9, 2005, in Denver, Colorado, has expanded to Los Angeles, where local law enforcement has been tracking the suspected shooter, Raul Garcia-Gomez, since Tuesday.

The Los Angeles Police Department received a nation-wide alert in connection with the shooting, which resulted in the death of Denver Police Detective Donnie Young. On Tuesday, Garcia-Gomez' Dodge Neon was discovered just outside the Los Angeles city limits in an unincorporated area of South Los Angeles.

Robbery Homicide Detectives began conferring with their Denver counterparts, trying to track down the nineteen-year-old suspect. Denver Police had information that Garcia-Gomez would flee to Mexico by way of Las Vegas or Los Angeles.

Denver Police Chief Gerald R. Whitman sent his Chief Investigator, Division Chief Dave Fisher, to Los Angeles to head up the investigation. "Detective Donnie Young was a decorated officer, and exceptional human being," Chief Fisher said. "We have committed every resource at our disposal to capture this cold-blooded killer."

First Assistant Chief Jim McDonnell has committed significant resources since the case broke locally. "Some of our detectives haven't taken a break since Tuesday," McDonnell said. "In cases like this, law enforcement agencies work together, but we also need the public as a member of the team. Someone has seen Garcia-Gomez, and we need them to come forward." The FBI and the United States Marshal are also assisting in the manhunt.

The city of Denver has not seen an officer shot and killed since 1997. The Denver community has so far committed up to $100,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Garcia-Gomez. "Donnie was a husband and father of two girls, 5 and 13," Chief Fisher said. "His death has hit the community as hard as it hit the department."

Chief William Bratton is out of town, and Assistant Chief Jim McDonnell is the acting chief of police.

Anyone with information is asked to call Robbery Homicide Division at 213-485-2531. On weekends and during off-hours, call the 24-hour toll free number at the Detective Information Desk at 1-877-LAWFULL (1-877-529-3855).